I live in Winchester and I am available to conduct funeral ceremonies in Winchester and throughout Hampshire, although I can travel further if required.  My aim is to help you create a unique and personal ceremony to celebrate the life that has ended by working in collaboration with those closest to the person  who has died

When I heard about the role of funeral celebrant it seemed that this would be a rewarding and interesting way of using my existing skills and developing new ones.  I was particularly impressed by the level of support and development offered by Humanists UK, which ensures that high professional standards are met and maintained.

I work closely with another local celebrant, Janet Powell, and I am also part of a network that meets regularly to offer professional support.  Together we will try to ensure that there is always a celebrant available to conduct your ceremony.

Background

I was born in Manchester but left to go to university in Cardiff and then to do my post-graduate training in Southampton.  I have lived in Hampshire since that time. After leaving university I trained as a social worker and worked mainly in the family courts until I retired.  I am also a trained family mediator.   After retiring I worked for some years as a volunteer at both Crown and Coroner’s Courts. More recently I have been involved, together with another local celebrant, in organising a number of Death Cafes in Winchester, which allow people to discuss issues around death and dying in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. I enjoy literature, theatre and travel.   I have 3 grown-up daughters.

Humanist funerals

You do not have to define yourself as a humanist to have a humanist funeral.  If religion has not played a significant part in a person’s life, you may feel that a non-religious ceremony, which emphasizes the life that has been lived, may be the most appropriate way of remembering and celebrating them.

Each person is unique and I’ll use my skills and training to create a ceremony which celebrates and honours the life of that person.

Humanist ceremonies usually take place at a crematorium, a cemetery or a woodland burial ground; however other venues are sometimes preferred and I’m happy to work flexibly around your chosen arrangements.  Increasingly some people are choosing to separate the cremation/burial from a larger event or memorial, which can allow more time or a more fitting venue.

I am also trained to offer pre-planned funeral ceremonies, which enables you to discuss your funeral wishes and, if appropriate, devise a ceremony, which can be recorded and stored.

Please contact me either by phone or email if you think that I might be able to help you and your family create a truly meaningful funeral ceremony.  More information about these services can be found on the following pages.

‘I just wanted to say thank you for the sensitive way you led X’s funeral.  It made a huge difference at what has been a difficult time for us all’  (June 2020).

‘Thank you for leading X’s memorial so well.  We appreciated all the support that you gave to us.  I am certain that X would have approved of the whole proceedings!’  (July 2021).

‘Thank you again. Our family and friends said that they did not know that a humanist ceremony was a possibility and they said that this is the type of service that they would want for themselves’. (February 2024)